The 28-year-old, who won the 2023 International Chopin Competition on Period Instruments in the Polish capital, has since become a regular guest at leading Polish festivals, including Chopin and His Europe in Warsaw and the International Chopin Festival in Duszniki.
Canadian pianist Eric Guo performs during the second stage of the 19th International Chopin Piano Competition at the Warsaw Philharmonic on Thursday. Photo courtesy of Poland's Fryderyk Chopin Institute/NIFC
Friday’s other nine contestants include pianists from China, Japan, South Korea, Georgia and Poland.
Among them is 29-year-old Adam Kałduński of Poland, a semifinalist in the previous Chopin Competition in 2021.
A graduate of the Music Academy in Bydgoszcz, north-central Poland, Kałduński also won first prize at the International Chopin Competition for Young Pianists in Beijing in 2019 and top honours at Italy’s Premio Amadeus Competition in 2023.
Adam Kałduński. Photo: Wojciech Grzędziński/NIFC
Canadian pianist Kevin Chen, who performed in the second stage of the competition on Thursday, told Poland's PAP news agency that Chopin is one of the most universal composers, one whose music resonates with the emotions of all people.
Asked about following in the footsteps of his compatriot Bruce Liu, the 2021 winner, Chen said: "I never try to copy anyone ... I am just happy to be here, without having any great expectations.”
Polish critics have named Chen among the frontrunners for top prizes.
A total of 40 pianists from 14 countries are performing in the second stage, which runs until Sunday.
The names of those advancing to the third stage will be announced late on Sunday.
(mk/gs)